What Is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability (LD) is a difference in how the brain takes in, sorts, remembers and uses information. It can make reading, writing or math harder to learn.

It has nothing to do with how smart someone is. Many people with LDs have average or above-average intelligence. Their brains just work in a different way.

LDs last a whole lifetime. But with the right teaching, tools and support, students with LDs can learn, grow and reach their goals.

Here are three of the most common learning disabilities. Equal Learning speaks up for all three, equally.

Dyslexia

The definition

Dyslexia is a learning disability that mostly affects reading. It can also make spelling, writing and saying words harder. People with dyslexia often have trouble matching letters to the sounds they make.

In my words

Dyslexia doesn’t only affect reading. It can show up in spelling, in writing, and even in finding the right words when you talk. It lasts your whole life, but how it affects you can change as you grow. Some kids learn to read early and only start to struggle later, when school brings harder things like grammar, textbooks and essays. Dyslexia isn’t about being lazy or not wanting to learn. With the right help, students with dyslexia can learn successfully!

Common signs

Trouble learning letters and their sounds
Reading slowly, or having to work hard to understand what you read
Trouble with spelling
Trouble with long reading assignments
Trouble finding the right word when talking

Did you know? Up to 15–20% of people may have some signs of dyslexia, like slow reading or poor spelling. (International Dyslexia Association)

Dysgraphia

The definition

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects writing. It makes it hard to get words onto paper. That can mean handwriting, spelling, typing, or all three.

In my words

Dysgraphia means writing is hard. It doesn’t mean thinking is hard. It affects handwriting, spelling and hand control, and it can make things like taking notes take longer. It can be hard emotionally, too. I think of it as a “hidden intelligence”: there’s often a gap between what a person knows and what they can write down.

Common signs

Messy handwriting that is hard to read
Trouble forming letters and spacing them
Trouble holding and controlling a pencil
Writing slowly
Talking about ideas much more easily than writing them

Did you know? Experts think 5–20% of people have dysgraphia. The range is wide because many people never get diagnosed. (Cleveland Clinic)

Dyscalculia

The definition

Dyscalculia is a learning disability that affects math. It makes numbers and math ideas hard to understand. Even basic things, like “bigger vs. smaller,” can be hard.

In my words

Dyscalculia affects how you understand and see numbers. It’s linked to a difference in how the brain develops, so the brain processes numbers differently. It can make counting, memorizing math facts like times tables, and basic math harder, and math problems can take more time. But not everyone who struggles with math has dyscalculia.

Common signs

Trouble remembering math facts, like times tables
Still counting on fingers a lot
Trouble telling time on a clock with hands
Trouble counting money or making change
Word problems, charts and graphs feel extra hard

Did you know? Dyscalculia affects up to 7% of people. (Understood.org)

What It Means to Me

By Mira Rotman, founder

I have dyslexia. But I know what it’s like to have a learning disability. I know what it’s like to be called dumb and slow. And I know what it’s like to have all these great positives, too. Living with a learning disability has hard parts. When I first found out I had dyslexia, I didn’t really know what it meant, and I was overwhelmed. Standardized tests showed me how many hurdles students with learning disabilities have to get over. Here’s what I want people to know: having a learning disability isn’t as negative as it’s often made out to be. You are not dumb or slow. My research has taught me that learning disabilities can come with real strengths. For example, many people with dyslexia are big-picture thinkers. They can see the whole situation without getting lost in small details. They’re good at making connections and coming up with original, out-of-the-box ideas. I don’t have dysgraphia or dyscalculia, but I’ve done a lot of research on them. I’ve learned they come with great advantages, too. Many people with dysgraphia are great at telling stories out loud. They’re often good listeners who remember stories well, and they can be creative problem-solvers. Many people with dyscalculia are creative and artistic, good with words, and good at hands-on work. Some say they have strong intuition, like a good gut feeling about things. Learning disabilities aren’t something weird that should be hidden. They’re a normal part of life, and we need to talk about them. I have fears, but I don’t let them stop me.

Learn More and Get Involved

Every brain learns differently, and that’s okay. Want to learn more or help out?